Guidelines: Return to Play after having had COVID 19
Unfortunately, there is evidence that COVID 19 can cause heart and circulatory problems in children. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has come up with guidelines for allowing COVID+ children to return to sports. Note: these guidelines only apply to children 12 and up. Younger children can self-regulate their return to play.
All children who have tested positive for COVID are considered contagious and must complete a quarantine for ten days and be without fever for 24 hours (whichever comes last). After this, the child is considered non-contagious and no further testing is needed to re-enter society. At this point, call your child’s Pediatrician for further guidance.
The AAP guidelines are broken down into three broad categories depending on the degree of illness:
MILD: fevers < 100.4 for four days, and /or fatigue, body aches < 1 week
MODERATE: fevers > 100.5 for four days, and/or fevers, body aches > week
SEVERE: Hospitalized (although might be redesignated as moderate while there
For children with
MILD symptoms: The Pediatrician will do an exam and complete a 14 point screen (ie, 14 questions) created by the American Heart Association (AHA). If screen is positive, an EKG will be obtained and the child might be referred to Pediatric Cardiology.
MODERATE symptoms: The Pediatrician will do an exam, obtain an EKG and complete the 14 point AHA screen. If anything is positive, a referral is made to Pediatric Cardiology.
SEVERE symptoms: Three to six months of rest and clearance by Pediatric Cardiology before return to sports.
If seen by Pediatric Cardiology, it is likely that an ECHO of the child’s heart will be obtained. If normal, gradual return to play will be allowed.
Fortunately, very few children will suffer long term consequences from COVID — but it is important to consult your child’s doctor to ensure the safest path to recovery.
Personalized Pediatrics of Maine strives to be the best Pediatric office in the state of Maine!
Return to Play Guidelines per AAP:
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-interim-guidance-return-to-sports/
14 point AHA screen:
http://med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/ppc/documents/HSupervision/AHA_14-point.pdf
